GAME ON: The Player - Jill Gately
David Varhol, GoLocalProv Contributor
GAME ON: The Player - Jill Gately
What are you looking forward to this season?
I am really looking forward to building a new program. We only have 5 returning players so we essentially have to start this year from scratch. We have a lot of new players that were going to focus on coaching.
What has been the biggest challenge being a high school athlete?
I think the biggest challenge is trying to balance sports with school. I play softball and soccer for MB and play for a travel team (MA Fire n Ice Gold) outside of school. It is very difficult when you have to choose one over another because you just don't have enough hours in the day. Also, my school curriculum is rigorous and I can’t let myself fall behind.
Who is your biggest motivator?
My Dad is my biggest motivator. He was a collegiate athlete so he knows the dedication and hard work it takes to reach that level. He pushes me to reach my potential.
Who is your biggest rival?
For MB Softball, our biggest rivals are Barrington, Middletown, Johnston and Smithfield. Whenever we play these teams its always a great game. Unfortunately, both Barrington and Smithfield are in a different division this year so we will not get to play them.
What are you working to improve your game?
I have always been a hitter. The one problem that I had with hitting last year is that I wasn't strong enough. I have been working all winter with my personal trainer/ hitting coach to perfect my swing and become stronger.
What is your greatest memory on the field?
My greatest memory is definitely winning back-to-back state championships in 2008 and 2009. We all worked very hard to achieve this goal.
How are you able to balance your schoolwork with practices, games, and training?
I pride myself on having good time management skills. With such a busy schedule, I often cannot waste a second. This means sometimes setting my alarm on a Saturday morning to do homework if I have a softball tournament that weekend or doing work during my school's lunch period.
Where do you see yourself going from here, do you plan to pursue this sport in college?
I was recruited to play softball for Wesleyan University! I am really looking forward to continuing my softball career at Wesleyan in the fall!